HPV's Role in Rising Throat Cancer Cases and Late-stage Diagnosis
Health officials in the U.S. are attributing the rising cases of throat cancer to the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), which is spread through skin-to-skin contact. While most cases of HPV infection go away on their own, high-risk strains can lead to the development of cancerous cells. HPV causes approximately 36,000 cases of cancer each year in the U.S., affecting both men and women. Throat cancer is expected to become the most common type of cancer among individuals aged 45 to 65. Symptoms of throat cancer include a painless lump in the neck, sore throat, trouble swallowing, weight loss, and changes in voice. The Gardasil vaccine can help prevent HPV infection.